Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and power storage apparatus management system

ABSTRACT

In one example embodiment, a power storage management system includes a user terminal, a power storage apparatus and an information processing apparatus. In one example embodiment, the information processing apparatus is configured to, using a mobile communication network (e.g., Global System for Mobile Communications or the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System), communicate with the power storage apparatus.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/059,027, filed Mar. 2, 2016, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/726,268, filed on May 29, 2015, which isa continuation of Ser. No. 13/115,554, filed on May 25, 2011 (now U.S.Pat. No. 9,094,432), which claims priority from Japanese PatentApplication No. JP 2010-120921, filed in the Japanese Patent Office onMay 26, 2010, the entire contents of each are incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND

In recent years, a technology called smart grid has been gainingattention. The smart grid is a technological framework to realizeefficient power usage by constructing a new transmission network havinga communication channel along with the transmission network and usingthis intelligent transmission network. The background idea of the smartgrid is to realize efficient management of the amount of power use,swift handling of an incident when such an incident occurs, remotecontrol of the amount of power use, distributed power generation usingpower generation facilities outside the control of a power company, orcharging management of an electric vehicle. Particularly, effectiveutilization of in-house power generating stations using renewable energyby ordinary households or operators other than power companies andcharging management of various electric vehicles typically includingelectric cars have been attracting considerable attention. Incidentally,renewable energy is energy generated without using fossil fuel.

Power generated by ordinary households or operators other than powercompanies is used by power generation operators. Remaining power afteruse by the power generation operators is currently purchased by powercompanies. However, purchasing power supplied from power generationfacilities outside the control of a power company is a heavy burden tothe power company. For example, amount of power supplied fromphotovoltaic power generation facilities depends on the weather.Moreover, amount of power supplied from in-house power generatingstations of ordinary households depends on power use of ordinaryhouseholds that largely changes day by day. Thus, it is difficult forpower companies to receive stable power supply from power generationfacilities outside the control of power companies. For the above reason,it may become difficult for power companies to purchase power in thefuture.

Thus, a home battery initiative that uses power generated by powergeneration facilities outside the control of power companies aftertemporarily storing the power in batteries has recently been gainingattention. For example, a method of using power generated byphotovoltaic power generation facilities by storing such power inbatteries and making up for shortages in the night or when the weatheris bad is considered. Furthermore, a method of limiting amount of powerreceived from a power company in accordance with the battery storageamount or using power stored in batteries in the daytime when powerrates are higher by storing power, in batteries, supplied by a powercompany in the night when power rates are lower are considered. Also,batteries can store power as DC, which makes DC/AC conversion or AC/DCconversion during transmission unnecessary so that losses duringconversion can be reduced.

Thus, various expectations regarding power management mingle with oneanother amid the smart grid initiative. To realize such powermanagement, the smart grid initiative is premised on having acommunication channel along with a transmission network. That is,exchanging information about power management by using this intelligenttransmission network is assumed (see JP-A-2002-354560, for example).However, in a region where a communication infrastructure is alreadybuilt, instead of using a transmission network as a communicationchannel, information about power management may be exchanged by using anetwork constructed by the deployed communication infrastructure. Thatis, what is important in the smart grid initiative is how to efficientlymanage power generation facilities and storage facilities that are notuniformly managed.

In the smart grid initiative described above, it is extremely importantto efficiently gather a variety of information including the powerstorage states of power storage apparatuses and to provide the gatheredinformation to the user in an easily comprehendible manner. However, amethod of doing so is yet to be proposed.

SUMMARY

In light of the foregoing, it is desirable to provide an informationprocessing apparatus, an information processing method, a program, and apower storage apparatus management system which are capable ofefficiently gathering a variety of information including the powerstorage states of power storage apparatuses and providing the gatheredinformation to the user in an easily comprehendible manner.

In one example embodiment, a power storage management system includes auser terminal (e.g., a mobile telephone), a power storage apparatus andan information processing apparatus configured to, using a mobilecommunication network (e.g., the Global System for Mobile Communicationsor the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System), communicate with thepower storage apparatus.

In one example embodiment, the power storage apparatus is configured to:(a) acquire power from at least one of a power generating apparatus anda power supplying network; and (b) supply the power to an appliance.

In one example embodiment, the power generating apparatus includes oneof a photovoltaic power generating device, a wind power generatingdevice, a hydroelectric power generating device and a wave poweringdevice.

In one example embodiment, the user terminal is configured to, using theInternet, communicate with the information processing apparatus.

In one example embodiment, the power storage apparatus includes: (i)first information indicative of a position of the power storageapparatus; and (ii) second information indicative of an operation stateof the power storage apparatus. In one example embodiment, theinformation processing apparatus is configured to, using the mobilecommunication network, acquire the first information and the secondinformation from the power storage apparatus.

In one example embodiment, the power storage apparatus includes powerstorage apparatus information. In one example embodiment, theinformation processing apparatus is configured to, using time/dateinformation, manage the power storage apparatus information. In oneexample embodiment, the information processing apparatus is configuredto, in response to a request from the user terminal, provide the powerstorage apparatus information to the user terminal.

In one example embodiment, at a first point in time, the power storageapparatus includes first power storage apparatus information, and at asecond, later point in time, the power storage apparatus includes secondpower storage apparatus information. In one example embodiment, thepower storage apparatus is configured to, in response to a predeterminedamount of time being passed since the power storage apparatustransmitted the first power storage information to the informationprocessing apparatus, transmit the second power storage apparatusinformation to the information processing apparatus.

In one example embodiment, the power storage apparatus includes powerstorage apparatus information. In one example embodiment, the powerstorage apparatus has an operation state. In one example embodiment, thepower storage apparatus is configured to, in response to a change in theoperation state, transmit the power storage apparatus information to theinformation processing apparatus.

In one example embodiment, the power storage apparatus includes powerstorage apparatus information. In one example embodiment, the powerstorage apparatus is configured to: (i) determine whether a specificsituation has occurred; and (ii) in response to the determination beingthat the specific situation occurred, transmit the power storageapparatus information to the information processing apparatus.

In one example embodiment, an information processing apparatus includesa processor and a memory device storing instructions which when executedby the processor, cause the processor to, using a mobile communicationnetwork (e.g., the Global System for Mobile Communications or theUniversal Mobile Telecommunications System), communicate with a powerstorage apparatus.

In one example embodiment, the instructions, when executed by theprocessor, cause the processor to, using the Internet, communicate witha user terminal.

In one example embodiment, the power storage apparatus includes: (i)first information indicative of a position of a power storage apparatus;and (ii) second information indicative of an operation state of thepower storage apparatus. In one example embodiment, the instructions,when executed by the processor, cause the processor to, using the mobilecommunication network, acquire the first information and the secondinformation from the power storage apparatus.

In one example embodiment, the power storage apparatus includes powerstorage apparatus information. In one example embodiment, theinstructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to,using time/date information, manage the power storage apparatusinformation. In one example embodiment, the instructions, when executedby the processor, cause the processor to, in response to a request froma user terminal, provide the power storage apparatus information to theuser terminal.

In one example embodiment, a power storage apparatus includes aprocessor and a memory device storing instructions which when executedby the processor, cause the processor to, using a mobile communicationnetwork (e.g., the Global System for Mobile Communications or theUniversal Mobile Telecommunications System), communicate with aninformation processing apparatus.

In one example embodiment, the instructions, when executed by theprocessor, cause the processor to: (a) acquire power from at least oneof a power generating apparatus and a power supplying network; and (b)supply the power to an appliance.

In one example embodiment, at a first point in time, the power storageapparatus includes first power storage apparatus information. In oneexample embodiment, at a second, later point in time, the power storageapparatus includes second power storage apparatus information. In oneexample embodiment, the instructions, when executed by the processor,cause the processor to, in response to a predetermined amount of timebeing passed since the power storage apparatus transmitted the firstpower storage information to the information processing apparatus,transmit the second power storage apparatus information to theinformation processing apparatus.

In one example embodiment, the power storage apparatus includes powerstorage apparatus information. In one example embodiment, the powerstorage apparatus has an operation state. In one example embodiment, theinstructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to, inresponse to a change in the operation state, transmit the power storageapparatus information to the information processing apparatus.

In one example embodiment, the power storage apparatus includes powerstorage apparatus information. In one example embodiment, theinstructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:(i) determine whether a specific situation has occurred; and (ii) inresponse to the determination being that the specific situationoccurred, transmit the power storage apparatus information to theinformation processing apparatus.

In one example embodiment, a method of operating a power storagemanagement system (which includes a user terminal, a power storageapparatus and an information processing apparatus) includes causing theinformation processing apparatus to, using a mobile communicationnetwork, communicate with a power storage apparatus.

In one example embodiment, a method of operating an informationprocessing apparatus (which includes instructions) includes causing aprocessor to execute the instructions to, using a mobile communicationnetwork, communicate with a power storage apparatus.

In one example embodiment, a method of operating a power storageapparatus (which includes instructions) includes causing a processor toexecute the instructions to, using a mobile communication network,communicate with an information processing apparatus.

According to the example embodiments of the present disclosure describedabove, it is possible to efficiently gather a variety of informationincluding the power storage states of power storage apparatuses and toprovide the gathered information to the user in an easily comprehendiblemanner.

Additional features and advantages are described herein, and will beapparent from the following Detailed Description and the figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a power storageapparatus management system according to a first example embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of aninformation processing apparatus according to the same exampleembodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of aregistration unit according to the same example embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of items in userinformation.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of items in registeredappliance information.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a powerstorage apparatus management unit according to the same exampleembodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of items in log information.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configurationof a power storage apparatus according to the same example embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of an information processingmethod according to the same example embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an information providingscreen according to the same example embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating another example of an informationproviding screen according to the same example embodiment,

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating another example of an informationproviding screen according to the same example embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating another example of an informationproviding screen according to the same example embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating another example of an informationproviding screen according to the same example embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating another example of an informationproviding screen according to the same example embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of aninformation processing apparatus according to an example embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, preferred example embodiments of the present disclosurewill be described in detail with reference to the appended drawings.Note that, in this specification and the appended drawings, structuralelements that have substantially the same function and structure aredenoted with the same reference numerals, and repeated explanation ofthese structural elements is omitted.

The following description is given in the order indicated below.

(1) First Example embodiment

(1-1) Configuration of Power Storage Apparatus Management System

(1-2) Configuration of Information Processing Apparatus

(1-3) Configuration of Power Storage Apparatus

(1-4) Information Processing Method

(1-5) Examples of Information Providing Screens

(2) Hardware Configuration of Information Processing Apparatus Exampleembodiment of the Present Disclosure

(1) First Example Embodiment

(1-1) Configuration of Power Storage Apparatus Management System

First, the configuration of a power storage apparatus management systemaccording to a first example embodiment of the present disclosure willbe described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram useful inshowing the configuration of a power storage apparatus management systemaccording to the present example embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the power storage apparatus management system 1according to the present example embodiment includes an informationprocessing apparatus 10 and one or a plurality of power storageapparatuses 20 that are connected to one another by a mobilecommunication network 3. Mobile communication carried out between theinformation processing apparatus 10 and a power storage apparatus 20 mayalso be relayed by a relay server 5. The information processingapparatus 10 is also capable of communicating via a communicationnetwork 7 with user operation terminals 9 that are owned by users.

The various elements included in the power storage apparatus managementsystem 1 according to the present example embodiment will now bedescribed in brief.

The mobile communication network 3 is a digital mobile telephonecommunication network that connects the information processing apparatus10 and the power storage apparatuses 20 according to the present exampleembodiment so as to be capable of communicating with one another viamobile communication. Although there are no particular limitations onthe communication method used on such digital mobile telephonecommunication network, it is preferable to set the method in accordancewith the communication environment of the region in which the powerstorage apparatus management system 1 is installed.

As one example, when the power storage apparatus management system 1according to the present example embodiment is set up across the globe,it is preferable to use a digital mobile telephone communication networkthat is capable of being used in any country or region of the world.Here, GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) can be given as oneexample of such a digital mobile telephone communication network.

It is also possible to use so-called “3G” (third generation) digitalmobile communication technologies that have a high communication speedand make very efficient use of bandwidth when the power storageapparatus management system 1 according to the present exampleembodiment is set up in a country or region where 3G communication isavailable.

The relay server 5 is a server that relays communication carried outbetween the information processing apparatus 10 and a power storageapparatus 20 via the mobile communication network 3. Here, a serverowned by the electrical communication operator that provides the mobilecommunication network 3 can be given as one example of the relay server5. As necessary, the relay server 5 may also be provided as appropriatein the power storage apparatus management system 1 according to thepresent example embodiment.

The communication network 7 is a communication network that connects avariety of user operation terminals 9 owned by users and the informationprocessing apparatus 10 according to the present example embodiment soas to be capable of two-way communication. As examples, thecommunication network 7 may be constructed of a dedicated network suchas the Internet, a telephone network, a satellite communication network,a public network such as a broadcast communication channel, a WAN (WideArea Network), a LAN (Local Area Network), an IP-VPN (InternetProtocol-Virtual Private Network), an Ethernet (registered trademark),or a wireless LAN, and may be wired or wireless. The relay server 5described above may also be connected to such communication network.

The user operation terminals 9 are various types of information terminalowned by users who use the power storage apparatus management system 1according to the present example embodiment. Here, a personal computer,a television set, various types of recorder such as a DVD recorder or aBlu-Ray recorder, a car navigation system, and intelligent homeappliances can be given as examples of information terminals. Otherexamples of the user operation terminals 9 include various types ofcommunication appliance such as a mobile telephone, a PDA, or aso-called “smart phone”, a content playback appliance such as a mobilemusic player, and a mobile information terminal equipped with a touchpanel or the like.

By operating the various types of operation terminals given above andconnecting to the information processing apparatus 10 according to thepresent example embodiment, the user is able to view various informationrelating to the power storage apparatuses 20 registered in the system 1.By operating the various types of operation terminals given above, theuser is also able to carry out operation control over a specified powerstorage apparatus 20 via the information processing apparatus 10according to the present example embodiment.

The information processing apparatus 10 acquires and manages loginformation expressing operation states of the power storage apparatuses20 that has been transmitted from the power storage apparatuses 20 and,in accordance with requests from the user operation terminals 9,provides various information relating to the power storage apparatusesthat are being managed to the user operation terminals 9. In otherwords, the information processing apparatus 10 according to the presentexample embodiment can be thought of as a power storage apparatusmanagement server that manages the power storage apparatuses 20 and alsoas an information providing server that provides information relating tothe power storage apparatuses 20 to the user operation terminals 9.

The information processing apparatus 10 is also capable of providingvarious information relating to the power storage apparatuses 20 beingmanaged to various servers, such as a search server or an informationproviding server, that are connected to the communication network 7. Itis also possible for a search server, an information providing server,or the like that is connected to the communication network 7 to beequipped with the functions of the information processing apparatus 10according to the present example embodiment.

The configuration of the information processing apparatus 10 accordingto the present example embodiment will now be described again in moredetail.

A power storage apparatus 20 is an apparatus that is equipped with abattery and is capable of storing power acquired from a power generatingapparatus 30 or a power supplying network 40 and supplying stored powerto various appliances that use power. The power storage apparatus 20 isalso capable when excess power is held to sell such excess power via apower supplying network 40 to a power supplying company.

Each power storage apparatus 20 according to the present exampleembodiment has a function that is capable of carrying out communicationusing the mobile communication network 3. Each power storage apparatus20 according to the present example embodiment is also capable ofacquiring data such as GCA and RMC outputted from a GPS (GlobalPositioning System) and specifying the installed position at which suchapparatus is installed. As described below, each power storage apparatus20 according to the present example embodiment transmits log informationincluding GPS data and various information showing the state of thepower storage apparatus 20 via the mobile communication network 3 to theinformation processing apparatus 10 according to the present exampleembodiment.

The configuration of a power storage apparatus 20 according to thepresent example embodiment will now be described.

The power generating apparatus 30 is a power generating device thatgenerates power using renewable energy. Here, a photovoltaic powergenerating device, a wind power generating device, a geothermal powergenerating device, a hydroelectric power generating device, a wave powergenerating device, and the like can be given as examples of a powergenerating device that generates power using renewable energy. The powergenerating apparatus 30 may be a power generating device that generateselectricity using non-renewable energy that has a lower environmentalfootprint than thermal power generation or the like where gasoline,coal, or the like is burned to generate power. Here, a fuel cell, anatural gas-driven generating device, a biomass power generating deviceand the like can be given as examples of such a power generating device.

A power supplying network 40 is power supplying equipment that suppliespower generated by equipment owned by a power supplying company.

This completes the overall description of the configuration of the powerstorage apparatus management system 1 according to the present exampleembodiment.

(1-2) Configuration of Information Processing Apparatus

Next, the configuration of the information processing apparatus 10according to the present example embodiment will be described in detailwith reference to FIGS. 2 to 7. First, the overall configuration of theinformation processing apparatus 10 according to the present exampleembodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a blockdiagram showing the configuration of the information processingapparatus 10 according to the present example embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 2, the information processing apparatus 10 according tothe present example embodiment mainly includes a mobile communicationunit 101, a communication unit 103, a registration unit 105, a powerstorage apparatus management unit 107, a setting information acquiringunit 109, and a storage unit 111.

The mobile communication unit 101 is realized by a CPU (CentralProcessing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random AccessMemory), a modem for communicating with the mobile communication network3, and the like. The mobile communication unit 101 controls thecommunication carried out between the information processing apparatus10 and a power storage apparatus 20 via the mobile communication network3. When the processing units provided in the information processingapparatus 10 according to the present example embodiment exchangeinformation with a power storage apparatus 20, the transmitting andreceiving of such information is carried out via the mobilecommunication unit 101.

As one example, the communication unit 103 is realized by a CPU, a ROM,a RAM, a communication apparatus, and the like. The communication unit103 controls communication carried out between the informationprocessing apparatus 10 and a user operation terminal 9 via thecommunication network 7. When the processing units provided in theinformation processing apparatus 10 according to the present exampleembodiment exchange information with a user operation terminal 9, thetransmitting and receiving of such information is carried out via thecommunication unit 103. Also, when the processing units of theinformation processing apparatus 10 transmit and receive information viathe communication network 7 such as the Internet to or from anotherapparatus such as various servers connected to the communication network7, the transmitting and receiving of such information is carried out viathe communication unit 103.

As one example, the registration unit 105 is realized by a CPU, a ROM, aRAM, and the like. The registration unit 105 registers users who makeuse of the management function for power storage apparatuses 20 providedby the information processing apparatus 10 according to the presentdisclosure and the power storage apparatuses 20 themselves owned by suchusers.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the registrationunit 105 according to the present example embodiment. As shown in FIG.3, the registration unit 105 includes a user registration unit 121 and apower storage apparatus registration unit 123.

As one example, the user registration unit 121 is realized by a CPU, aROM, a RAM, and the like. When a user has operated a user operationterminal 9 to make a request to the information processing apparatus 10to join a management service for a power storage apparatus 20, the userregistration unit 121 registers information relating to the user inquestion in a database stored in the storage unit 111, described later.At this time, the user registration unit 121 assigns a unique user ID tothe user and manages various information (hereinafter referred to as“user information”) relating to the user.

FIG. 4 is a diagram useful in explaining one example of the contentregistered by the user registration unit 121 as user information in adatabase in the storage unit 111. As shown in FIG. 4, the userregistration unit 121 registers a user name, a user ID, a password,address information relating to the e-mail address and/or residence ofthe user, emergency contact information, and the like as the userinformation. The user registration unit 121 is also capable of writinginformation relating to what authority has been given to each user asthe user information. By doing so, it is possible for the variousprocessing units provided in the information processing apparatus 10according to the present example embodiment to easily grasp whatauthority, i.e., what types of processing can be executed for whichpower storage apparatuses, has been given to each user. Note that theitems in the user information shown in FIG. 4 are mere examples and thatit is possible for one or more of the items shown in FIG. 4 to beomitted and for information aside from the information shown in FIG. 4to be registered as user information.

Note that when user registration is carried out, the user registrationunit 121 may use a known encryption technique, digital signaturetechnique, or the like to issue various data, such as an encryption keyor a digital signature for ensuring the validity of a user, to a useroperation terminal 9 owned by the user.

Also, if the information processing apparatus 10 according to thepresent example embodiment is capable of connecting to a public serversuch as a search server connected to the communication network 7, it isalso possible for user information registered in the public server to beused as the user information of the information processing apparatus 10according to the present example embodiment.

As one example, the power storage apparatus registration unit 123 isrealized by a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. When there is a powerstorage apparatus 20 that has been newly connected to the power storageapparatus management system 1 according to the present exampleembodiment, the power storage apparatus registration unit 123 registersinformation relating to such power storage apparatus 20 in a databasestored in the storage unit 111, described later. When doing so, thepower storage apparatus registration unit 123 assigns a unique ID toeach power storage apparatus and manages various information(hereinafter referred to as “registered appliance information”) relatingto the power storage apparatus.

Although there are no particular limitations on the flow by which thepower storage apparatus registration unit 123 registers a power storageapparatus 20 that has been newly connected to the system, as one examplethe power storage apparatus registration unit 123 may register a powerstorage apparatus 20 using the flow described below. One example of theflow of a registration process for a power storage apparatus will now bedescribed in brief with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a diagram usefulin showing one example of the registered appliance information.

When a new power storage apparatus 20 is connected to the power storageapparatus management system 1 according to the present exampleembodiment, the connected power storage apparatus 20 transmitsregistration information including at least the information listed belowvia the mobile communication network 3 to the information processingapparatus 10.

-   -   GPS data showing the installed position of the power storage        apparatus 20    -   metadata relating to the power storage apparatus 20 itself (for        example, information that characterizes the power storage        apparatus 20, such as the model number/name, manufacturer name,        and installed function names)

When the registration information described above has been acquired viathe mobile communication unit 101, the power storage apparatusregistration unit 123 registers the acquired registration information inthe database as registered appliance information. Also, by carrying outan action such as separately transmitting a message to user operationterminals 9, the power storage apparatus registration unit 123associates the power storage apparatus 20 that has been newly connectedto the system with a user. By doing so, registered appliance informationsuch as that shown in FIG. 5 is generated.

In the registered appliance information shown in FIG. 5, variousinformation relating to each power storage apparatus 20 that has beenassociated with a particular user ID is given for each user ID. In theregistered appliance information shown in FIG. 5, information relatingto the registered appliance name, registered appliance ID, manufacturer,appliance state, and the like is registered as the information relatingto a power storage apparatus 20. Here, position information relating tothe installed position of the power storage apparatus 20, andinformation that reflects power storage apparatus information includingoperation setting information and/or operation state information of thepower storage apparatus 20 is registered as the information relating tothe appliance state. When log information expressing the operation stateand the like of a power storage apparatus 20 is transmitted from suchpower storage apparatus 20, the content of the information relating tothe appliance state in the database is updated in accordance with thecontent of the log information.

Note that although the registered appliance information shown in FIG. 5is given in a format where the power storage apparatuses 20 areassociated with respective user IDs, the registered applianceinformation for the present example embodiment is not limited to thisexample. As another example, in the registered appliance information forthe present example embodiment, user IDs relating to users who own (ormanage) the respective power storage apparatuses may be given for eachpower storage apparatus.

Note that when a new power storage apparatus 20 has been registered, thepower storage apparatus registration unit 123 may use a known encryptiontechnique, digital signature technique, or the like to issue variousdata, such as an encryption key or a digital signature for ensuring thevalidity of a power storage apparatus, to the power storage apparatus 20that has been newly registered.

This completes the description of the registration unit 105 according tothe present example embodiment. The explanation will now return to FIG.2 and describe the power storage apparatus management unit 107 providedin the information processing apparatus 10 according to the presentexample embodiment in detail.

As one example, the power storage apparatus management unit 107 isrealized by a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The power storageapparatus management unit 107 is a processing unit that manages thepower storage apparatuses 20 based on various information acquired fromthe power storage apparatuses 20 via the mobile communication network 3.In other words, the power storage apparatus management unit 107 is aprocessing unit for realizing various functions in order to manage thepower storage apparatuses 20 registered in the information processingapparatus 10.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the power storageapparatus management unit 107 according to the present exampleembodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the power storage apparatus managementunit 107 according to the present example embodiment further includes alog information acquiring unit 131, an information management unit 133,an information providing unit 135, and a control information generatingunit 137.

As one example, the log information acquiring unit 131 that is oneexample of an information acquiring unit is realized by a CPU, a ROM, aRAM, and the like. The log information acquiring unit 131 acquires powerstorage apparatus information that was transmitted from a power storageapparatus and received by the mobile communication unit 101. Such powerstorage apparatus information is the log information showing theinstalled position and operation state of a power storage apparatus 20over time. As one example, such log information is transmitted to theinformation processing apparatus 10 with the timing described below bycommunication via the mobile communication network 3 that has beenestablished from the power storage apparatus 20 side.

-   -   timing at which the log information is transmitted (aside from        when newly connecting to the system)—whenever a specified period        passes, such as one hour, one day, one week, or one month    -   whenever the operation mode (such as power storing mode,        discharging mode, and a stopped state) of the power storage        apparatus changes    -   whenever an unexpected situation arises (for example, when there        has been an unforeseen change in the position information or an        emergency situation such as a battery failure)

In addition to the situations described above, log information may betransmitted from a power storage apparatus 20 to the informationprocessing apparatus 10 in the situations listed below.

-   -   when the user has issued a short message or made a telephone        call to the power storage apparatus 20 via the mobile        communication network 3    -   when a short message has been issued or a telephone call has        been made via the mobile communication network 3 to a power        storage apparatus 20 from a modem or the like provided in the        information processing apparatus 10    -   when the information processing apparatus 10 has issued an        e-mail message or the like via the communication network 7 to        the relay server 5

One example of the power storage apparatus information (hereinafter alsoreferred to as “log information”) transmitted from a power storageapparatus 20 is shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a diagram useful in showingone example of the log information. As shown in FIG. 7, the appliance IDof the power storage apparatus, various metadata that characterizes thepower storage apparatus, GPS data expressing the installed position, anoperating time, an operation state, an operation mode, information onthe installed functions, and the like are included in the loginformation transmitted from the power storage apparatus 20. Aside fromsuch information, the log information may include a battery form,information relating to the stored amount of power, information relatingto the charging voltage, charging current, and the like, and informationrelating to various settings of the power storage apparatus 20. Notethat the items in the log information illustrated in FIG. 7 are mereexamples and the present disclosure is not limited to such examples.

On acquiring log information such as that illustrated in FIG. 7, the loginformation acquiring unit 131 stores history information relating tothe time and date when the log information was acquired in the databasein the storage unit 111 or the like and outputs the acquired loginformation to the information management unit 133, described below.

As one example, the information management unit 133 is realized by aCPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The information management unit 133refers to the log information acquired by the log information acquiringunit 131 and manages the content of a database (in more detail, theregistered appliance information) registered in the storage unit 111.When doing so, the information management unit 133 manages the contentof the database by associating such content with time/date informationexpressing the time and date when the log information was acquired. Bydoing so, the information management unit 133 is capable of graspingchanges over time in the content written in the registered applianceinformation, and it becomes possible to provide information showingchanges over time in the state of the power storage apparatus 20 to theuser as necessary.

As one example, the information providing unit 135 is realized by a CPU,a ROM, a RAM, and the like. In accordance with an information disclosurerequest from a user operation terminal 9 operated by a user, theinformation providing unit 135 provides the managed registered applianceinformation to the user operation terminal 9 that made the request.

Although the information provided by the information providing unit 135to the user operation terminal 9 may be set as appropriate, as examplesit is possible to provide information that graphically shows theoperation state of the power storage apparatus 20, information thatshows the location of the power storage apparatus 20 on a map, settingconditions of the power storage apparatus 20, and the like. Note thatbecause it is possible to display the location of the power storageapparatus 20 on a map using GPS information, when the power storageapparatus 20 has been stolen, it is also possible to display the presentlocation and/or the movement route of the power storage apparatus 20 ona map.

When providing the registered appliance information, the informationproviding unit 135 should preferably convert the registered applianceinformation to be provided to a user operation terminal 9 to a dataformat that can be displayed by the user operation terminal 9 and thenprovide the converted information via the communication unit 103 to theuser operation terminal 9.

For example, when the user operation terminal 9 is a device that iscapable of using a Web browser, the information providing unit 135converts the information to be provided to the user to a data format(for example, a format such as HTML or XML) that is capable of beingdisplayed using a Web browser. When the applications that can be used bythe user operation terminal 9 are limited, such as when the useroperation terminal 9 is some type of mobile appliance or a carnavigation system, the information providing unit 135 converts the dataformat of the information in accordance with the applications that canbe used.

The information providing unit 135 is also capable of changing thecontent of the registered appliance information to be provided to theuser operation terminal 9 in accordance with a user operation carriedout on the user operation terminal 9.

Note that the information providing unit 135 is capable of providinginformation relating to a power storage apparatus 20 not only to a useroperation terminal 9 but also to various types of server, such as asearch server, or another information processing apparatus connected tothe communication network 7. Although the information providing unit 135is capable of selecting the information on the power storage apparatus20 to be provided to another server or information processing terminal,as one example, by providing information expressing the installedposition of the power storage apparatus 20, it becomes possible toconfirm the installed state of the power storage apparatus 20 from anarbitrary server.

As one example, the control information generating unit 137 is realizedby a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. When setting information relatingto operation of a power storage apparatus 20 transmitted from a useroperation terminal 9 has been stored in a specified location such as thestorage unit 111, the control information generating unit 137 uses thestored setting information to generate control information forcontrolling the power storage apparatus 20. When a connection has beenestablished with the power storage apparatus 20 in question using themobile communication network 3, the control information generating unit137 transmits the generated control information via the mobilecommunication unit 101 to the power storage apparatus 20.

There are no particular limitations on the type of control informationgenerated by the control information generating unit 137 and suchinformation may be set as appropriate. Note that because it is possiblein the power storage apparatus management system 1 according to thepresent example embodiment for the information processing apparatus 10to grasp information expressing the installed position of a powerstorage apparatus 20, by setting in advance a region in which the powerstorage apparatus 20 can operate, it would be conceivably possible toprevent theft of the power storage apparatus 20.

The control information generating unit 137 is capable of executing ageneration process for control information for controlling the powerstorage apparatus 20 at arbitrary timing. As examples, the controlinformation generating unit 137 may generate the control informationwhen setting information is stored in a specified location and/or when aconnection has been established with the power storage apparatus 20 inquestion.

Once the generated control information has been transmitted to the powerstorage apparatus 20 in question, the control information generatingunit 137 should preferably request the information management unit 133to update the content of the registered appliance information to acontent in keeping with the control information.

This completes the detailed description of the functions of the powerstorage apparatus management unit 107 according to the present exampleembodiment with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. The explanation will nowreturn to FIG. 2 and describe the setting information acquiring unit 109according to the present example embodiment in detail.

As one example, the setting information acquiring unit 109 is realizedby a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. When a setting changing screen fora power storage apparatus 20 has been operated at a user operationterminal 9 that has been provided with information from the informationproviding unit 135 and the operation settings of the power storageapparatus 20 have been changed, the setting information acquiring unit109 acquires setting conditions showing the changed operation settingsfrom the user operation terminal 9. The setting information acquiringunit 109 stores the setting conditions acquired from the user operationterminal 9 as setting information in a specified location of the storageunit 111. When communication has been established with the power storageapparatus 20 in question using such setting information, the controlinformation generating unit 137 of the power storage apparatusmanagement unit 107 transmits control information generated based on thesetting information to the power storage apparatus 20.

The storage unit 111 is one example of a storage apparatus provided inthe information processing apparatus 10 according to the present exampleembodiment. Various databases, namely user information relating to userswho use the power storage apparatus management system according to thepresent example embodiment and registered appliance information relatingto power storage apparatuses connected to the power storage apparatusmanagement system, are stored in the storage unit 111. Various historyinformation may also be recorded in the storage unit 111. In addition,the information processing apparatus 10 according to the present exampleembodiment records various parameters that may need to be stored whencarrying out some kind of processing, intermediate results ofprocessing, various databases, programs, and the like as appropriate inthe storage unit 111.

The storage unit 111 is capable of being freely read and written by thevarious processing units provided in the information processingapparatus 10.

One example of the functions of the information processing apparatus 10according to the present example embodiment has been described above.The various component elements described above may be configured usinggeneral-purpose parts and circuits or may be configured using hardwarethat is dedicated to the functions of the respective component elements.Alternatively, the functions of the respective component elements mayall be carried out by a CPU or the like. Accordingly, it is possible tochange the configuration in use as appropriate in accordance with theprevailing technical level when implementing the present exampleembodiment.

Note that a computer program for realizing the functions of theinformation processing apparatus according to the above exampleembodiment may be created and installed in a personal computer or thelike. It is also possible to provide a computer-readable recordingmedium on which such a computer program is stored. As examples, therecording medium may be a magnetic disk, an optical disc, amagneto-optical disc, or a flash memory. The computer program mentionedabove may also be distributed via a network, for example, without usinga recording medium.

Note that although the information processing apparatus 10 according tothe present example embodiment has been described by way of an examplewhere the flow that associates the power storage apparatuses 20 to usersis carried out having first carried out a registration process relatingto users who use the system, the present disclosure is not limited tothis example. For example, users that are able to use the respectivepower storage apparatuses 20 may be associated with the power storageapparatuses 20 after the power storage apparatuses 20 to be managed havefirst been registered in the information processing apparatus 10according to the present example embodiment. In other words, in theinformation processing apparatus 10 according to the present exampleembodiment, so long as the power storage apparatuses 20 recorded in theinformation processing apparatus 10 and information relating to usersthat are able to carry out various operations on such power storageapparatuses 20 are correctly associated, such associating can be carriedout according to any processing flow.

(1-3) Configuration of Power Storage Apparatus

Next, the configuration of a power storage apparatus according to thepresent example embodiment will be described in brief with reference toFIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a powerstorage apparatus 20 according to the present example embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 8, the power storage apparatus 20 according to thepresent example embodiment mainly includes a battery B, a mobilecommunication unit 201, a battery management unit 203, a power supplyingcontrol unit 205, a GPS data acquiring unit 207, a log informationgenerating unit 209, a control information acquiring unit 211, and astorage unit 213.

The battery B stores power generated by a power generating apparatus 30and/or power supplied from the power supplying network 40 and suppliesthe stored power to a power using appliance 50, such as an electricalappliance or an electric vehicle. Although there are no particularlimitations on the configuration of the battery B itself, as one exampleit is possible to use a lithium ion battery or the like as the batteryB.

The mobile communication unit 201 is realized by a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, amodem for communicating with the mobile communication network 3, and thelike. The mobile communication unit 201 controls communication carriedout between the power storage apparatus 20 and the informationprocessing apparatus 10 via the mobile communication network 3. When thevarious processing units provided in the power storage apparatus 20according to the present example embodiment exchange information withthe information processing apparatus 10, such information is transmittedand received via the mobile communication unit 201.

Here, when the mobile communication unit 201 exchanges information withthe information processing apparatus 10, a connection is established ina direction from the mobile communication unit 201 on the power storageapparatus 20 side toward the information processing apparatus 10 (thatis, the mobile communication unit 201 on the power storage apparatus 20side is the initiator). By doing so, the mobile communication unit 201is capable of establishing a connection with the information processingapparatus 10 in a state that is suited to transmission of information bythe power storage apparatus 20.

Note that as described earlier, the exchanging of information betweenthe information processing apparatus 10 and the power storage apparatus20 is carried out via the mobile communication network 3. For thisreason, to suppress the number of transmitted packets and power usagerequired to transmit and receive information, the mobile communicationunit 201 is capable of using various communication methods.

As one example, the battery management unit 203 is realized by a CPU, aROM, a RAM, various sensors for grasping the state of the battery B, andthe like. The battery management unit 203 monitors the state of thebattery B provided in the power storage apparatus 20 and grasps thestate of the battery B. The battery management unit 203 is capable ofusing information obtained by grasping the state of the battery B tograsp a drop in the functioning of the battery B, failure of the batteryB, and the like. As examples, as the method of grasping a drop in thefunctioning of the battery B, failure of the battery B, and the like, itis possible to use a known method, such as a method that makes judgmentsusing specified thresholds or a method that uses a discriminant functiongenerated according to a heuristic method.

The battery management unit 203 outputs information obtained by graspingthe state of the battery B to the log information generating unit 209,described later, to transmit the information to the informationprocessing apparatus 10 according to the present example embodiment.

The battery management unit 203 also changes various setting informationrelating to operation of the power storage apparatus 20 in accordancewith control information for the power storage apparatus 20 transmittedfrom the information processing apparatus 10.

In addition, the battery management unit 203 is capable of realizingvarious functions carried out to cause the power storage apparatus 20 tooperate appropriately in addition to the functions described above.

As one example, the power supplying control unit 205 is realized by aCPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The power supplying control unit 205supplies power stored in the battery B to a power using appliance 50such as an electrical appliance or an electrical vehicle in accordancewith instructions from the battery management unit 203. If the sellingof power stored in the power storage apparatus 20 is recognized, thepower supplying control unit 205 is also capable of selling stored powervia the power supplying network 40.

As one example, the GPS data acquiring unit 207 is realized by a CPU, aROM, a RAM, various sensors for receiving GPS signals, and the like. Byreceiving a plurality of signals transmitted from GPS satellites, theGPS data acquiring unit 207 calculates position information showing thepresent position on the globe. The GPS data acquiring unit 207 outputsposition information relating to the present position calculated basedon signals transmitted from GPS satellites to the log informationgenerating unit 209 as GPS data. Here, there are no particularlimitations on the timing at which signals transmitted from GPSsatellites are received and such reception can be carried out atarbitrary timing. As one example, the log information generating unit209 is realized by a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. When the timing atwhich the log information is transmitted to the information processingapparatus 10 has been reached, the log information generating unit 209generates the log information based on the various information acquiredfrom the battery management unit 203 and the GPS data acquiring unit207. The content of the generated log information is as shown in FIG. 7,for example. The log information generating unit 209 transmits thegenerated log information to the information processing apparatus 10 viathe mobile communication unit 201.

Here, as the timing at which the log information generating unit 209generates the log information, aside from when the power storageapparatus 20 is newly connected to the power storage apparatusmanagement system 1, the following timing could conceivably be used.

Timing at which the log information is generated (aside from when newlyconnecting to the system)

-   -   whenever a specified period passes, such as one hour, one day,        one week, or one month    -   whenever the operation mode (such as power storing mode,        discharging mode, and a stopped state) of the power storage        apparatus changes    -   whenever an unexpected situation arises (for example, when there        has been an unforeseen change in the position information or an        emergency situation such as a battery failure)

In addition to the situations described above, the log informationgenerating unit 209 may generate log information in the situationslisted below.

-   -   when the user has issued a short message or made a telephone        call to the power storage apparatus 20 via the mobile        communication network 3    -   when a short message has been issued or a telephone call has        been made via the mobile communication network 3 to the power        storage apparatus 20 from a modem or the like provided in the        information processing apparatus 10    -   when the information processing apparatus 10 has issued an        e-mail message or the like via the communication network 7 to        the relay server 5 to request transmission of log information        from the relay server 5

As one example, the control information acquiring unit 211 is realizedby a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The control information acquiringunit 211 enquires to the information processing apparatus 10 as towhether there is control information for the power storage apparatus 20to which the control information acquiring unit 211 belongs, andacquires control information for controlling the power storage apparatus20 that has been transmitted from the information processing apparatus10 via the mobile communication network 3. The acquisition of controlinformation is carried out when a connection has been established viathe mobile communication network 3 for transmission of the loginformation generated by the log information generating unit 209 to theinformation processing apparatus 10.

On acquiring the control information transmitted from the informationprocessing apparatus 10 via the mobile communication unit 201, thecontrol information acquiring unit 211 outputs the acquired controlinformation to the battery management unit 203. By carrying outoperation control of the power storage apparatus 20 based on the controlinformation outputted by the control information acquiring unit 211, thebattery management unit 203 is capable of realizing the operationcontrol over the power storage apparatus 20 intended by the user.

The storage unit 213 is one example of a storage apparatus provided inthe power storage apparatus 20 according to the present exampleembodiment. Various information, such as the log information itselftransmitted by the power storage apparatus 20 and history informationrelating to transmission of the log information, is stored in thestorage unit 213. In addition, the power storage apparatus 20 accordingto the present example embodiment also records various parameters thatmay need to be stored when carrying out some kind of processing,intermediate results of processing, various databases, programs, and thelike as appropriate in the storage unit 213.

The storage unit 213 is capable of being freely read and written by thevarious processing units provided in the power storage apparatus 20.

One example of the functions of the power storage apparatus 20 accordingto the present example embodiment has been described above. The variouscomponent elements described above may be configured usinggeneral-purpose parts and circuits or may be configured using hardwarethat is dedicated to the functions of the respective component elements.Alternatively, the functions of the respective component elements mayall be carried out by a CPU or the like. Accordingly, it is possible tochange the configuration in use as appropriate in accordance with theprevailing technical level when implementing the present exampleembodiment.

(1-4) Information Processing Method

Next, the flow of the information processing method according to thepresent example embodiment will be described in brief with reference toFIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of the informationprocessing method according to the present example embodiment.

Note that it is assumed that user registration relating to users who usethe power storage apparatus management system 1 according to the presentexample embodiment and appliance registration of the power storageapparatuses 20 connected to the power storage apparatus managementsystem 1 have been completed before the following explanation begins.

When a user wishes to know the operation state of a power storageapparatus 20, the user operates a user operation terminal 9 the user hasto cause the user operation terminal 9 to connect to the informationprocessing apparatus 10 using an ordinary Internet connection or thelike (step S01). At this time, a specified log-in process is implementedbetween the user operation terminal 9 and the information processingapparatus 10 (step S103). This log-in process may be a log-in processthat is unique to the power storage apparatus management system 1according to the present example embodiment or may use a log-in processfor a public information providing server, an information searchingserver, or the like.

Once the log-in process is complete and the validity of the useroperating the user operation terminal 9 has been confirmed, theinformation providing unit 135 of the information processing apparatus10 refers to a database (the registered appliance information) stored inthe storage unit 111. After this, the information providing unit 135provides the power storage apparatus information for the power storageapparatus 20 whose operation state the user wishes to grasp to the useroperation terminal 9 in a suitable format for the user operationterminal 9 (step S105).

Also, when the user has operated the user operation terminal 9 andchanged the setting information that designates operation settings ofthe power storage apparatus 20, the user operation terminal 9 transmitsthe changed setting information to the information processing apparatus10 (step S107). Once the setting information transmitted from the useroperation terminal 9 has been acquired, the setting informationacquiring unit 109 of the information processing apparatus 10 stores theacquired setting information in a specified location in the storage unit111 or the like (step S109).

When the user has finished viewing the information relating to the powerstorage apparatus 20 currently in focus, the user operates the useroperation terminal 9 and carries out a specified log out process (stepS111). By doing so, the connection established between the useroperation terminal 9 and the information processing apparatus 10 isreleased.

After this, in the power storage apparatus 20 connected to the powerstorage apparatus management system 1, when the timing for transmittingthe log information to the information processing apparatus 10 has beenreached, the log information generating unit 209 of the power storageapparatus 20 starts to generate the log information to be transmitted(step S121). When doing so, the log information generating unit 209acquires information to be written in the log information, that is,information relating to the operation state of the battery when the loginformation is generated, from the battery management unit 203. The loginformation generating unit 209 also acquires GPS data (positioninformation) expressing the present position of the power storageapparatus 20 from the GPS data acquiring unit 207. Based on suchacquired information and setting information that sets what informationis to be included in the log information, the log information generatingunit 209 generates the log information to be transmitted to theinformation processing apparatus 10.

Also, in the power storage apparatus 20, when the log informationgenerating unit 209 starts to generate the log information, theestablishment of a connection via the mobile communication network 3 tobe used for communication with the information processing apparatus 10is commenced (step S123). The protocol used for communication with theinformation processing apparatus 10 can be decided as appropriate.

When a connection with the information processing apparatus 10 has beenestablished, the power storage apparatus 20 requests the informationprocessing apparatus 10 to transmit a main instruction (step S125). Thepower storage apparatus management unit 107 of the informationprocessing apparatus 10 transmits a main instruction indicating thetransmission of log information to the power storage apparatus 20 (stepS127).

The log information generating unit 209 of the power storage apparatus20 receives the main instruction transmitted from the informationprocessing apparatus 10 (a main instruction indicating the transmissionof log information) and transmits the generated log information to theinformation processing apparatus 10 (step S129).

When the acquisition of the log information transmitted from the powerstorage apparatus 20 has been completed, the log information acquiringunit 131 of the information processing apparatus 10 notifies the powerstorage apparatus 20 that synchronization of the log information hasbeen completed (step S131). The information management unit 133 of theinformation processing apparatus 10 also updates the content of theregistered appliance information stored in the storage unit 111 based onthe acquired log information.

The control information acquiring unit 211 of the power storageapparatus 20 enquires to the information processing apparatus 10 as towhether there is control information for the power storage apparatus 20to which the control information acquiring unit 211 belongs, andrequests transmission of the control information when such controlinformation exists (step S133). The power storage apparatus managementunit 107 of the information processing apparatus 10 confirms whethercontrol information exists for the power storage apparatus 20 with whicha connection has been established and transmits the stored controlinformation to the power storage apparatus 20 when such controlinformation exists (step S135). When reception of the controlinformation transmitted from the information processing apparatus 10 hasbeen completed, the control information acquiring unit 211 of the powerstorage apparatus 20 notifies the information processing apparatus 10that reception has been completed (step S137). The control informationacquiring unit 211 outputs the received control information to thebattery management unit 203. By doing so, it is possible for the batterymanagement unit 203 to start control of the battery based on new controlinformation.

On receiving notification that reception has been completed, theinformation processing apparatus 10 starts to disconnect the connectionon the mobile communication network 3 that was established with thepower storage apparatus 20 (step S139). By doing so, the connection onthe mobile communication network 3 that was initiated from the powerstorage apparatus 20 side is released.

In this way, according to the information processing method according tothe present example embodiment, by operating a user operation terminal9, a user who is capable of referring to the state of a power storageapparatus 20 is able to confirm the state of such power storageapparatus 20 from any location and is also able to remotely operate thepower storage apparatus 20.

In the power storage apparatus management system 1 according to thepresent example embodiment, communication between the informationprocessing apparatus 10 and the power storage apparatus 20 is realizedby a connection made via the mobile communication network 3. This meansthat control information for a power storage apparatus 20 set by a useroperation is transmitted to such power storage apparatus 20 when aconnection is established with the power storage apparatus 20.Meanwhile, because it is possible for the power storage apparatus 20 toacquire control information stored in the information processingapparatus 10 at the timing when log information is transmitted to theinformation processing apparatus 10, it is possible to suppress theamount of communicated data and consumed battery power required forcommunication without the connection with the information processingapparatus 10 having to be maintained.

Note that although the case where a connection via the mobilecommunication network 3 is initiated from the power storage apparatus 20to the information processing apparatus 10 has been described above, theconnection via the mobile communication network 3 may be initiated fromthe information processing apparatus 10 side.

(1-5) Examples of Information Providing Screens

Next, examples of information providing screens provided by theinformation processing apparatus 10 according to the present exampleembodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 15. FIGS. 10to 15 are diagrams useful in showing examples of the informationproviding screens provided by the information processing apparatus 10according to the present example embodiment.

When a user of the power storage apparatus management system 1 operatesa user operation terminal 9 and connects to the information processingapparatus 10, a display screen (“information providing screen”) such asthat shown in FIG. 10 for example is displayed on a display unit, suchas a display, of the user operation terminal 9.

As shown in FIG. 10, information relating to a power storage apparatus20 for which the user has the authority to view information is writtenin the information providing screen. In the information providing screenshown in FIG. 10, a region that displays a list of latest reports, aregion in which latest operation reports relating to power storageapparatuses whose operation states have changed is displayed, and aregion in which other announcements to the user are displayed areformed. As examples of such announcements to the user, in FIG. 10, a“notifications” column in which information relating to a power storageapparatus whose position information has changed and informationrelating to a power storage apparatus in an emergency state is given anda “messages” column that displays ordinary messages to the user areprovided.

Aside from such display regions, the information providing screen isalso provided with a display region that displays a location of thepower storage apparatus based on GPS data, a display region for imagestaken by webcams mounted on the power storage apparatus, and a displayregion for comments made by users relating to the power storageapparatus. As one example, maintenance information and the like relatingto the power storage apparatus 20 is displayed in the display region forcomments.

By referring to such an information providing screen, the user caneasily grasp information relating to a power storage apparatus 20 overwhich the user has authority at timing desired by the user.

By operating the user operation terminal 9, the user is capable ofhaving a display screen such as that shown in FIG. 11 displayed. Theinformation providing screen shown in FIG. 11 illustrates the locationsof power storage apparatuses 20 on a map, and by selecting a flag on themap, it is possible to have the detailed specification of the selectedpower storage apparatus 20 displayed. By setting conditions such as thebattery form, the continuous operation time, the operation mode, and theinstalled functions, the user can select only power storage apparatusesthat match the set conditions and have such power storage apparatusesdisplayed.

In addition, by operating the user operation terminal 9, the user iscapable of having a display screen such as that shown in FIG. 12displayed. An information providing screen that is mainly text like thescreen shown in FIG. 12 is effective in providing information when theuser operation terminal 9 is an apparatus that is suited to displayingmainly text, such as a mobile telephone or an electronic book reader.

By operating the user operation terminal 9, the user is also capable ofhaving an information providing screen such as that shown in FIG. 13displayed. FIG. 13 is one example of an information providing screendisplayed when the user has selected a given power storage apparatus 20.As shown in FIG. 13, when a given power storage apparatus has beenselected, the detailed specification of the selected power storageapparatus, log information expressing changes in the operation mode, loginformation expressing changes in the amount of generated power and theamount of used power, and log information expressing changes in theamount of stored power are displayed in respective display regions.Here, information, such as the log information expressing changes in theamount of generated power and the amount of used power, where graphicalrepresentation is effective in enabling the user to grasp theinformation is displayed in graphical form as shown in FIG. 13. Byreferring to this type of display screen, the user is able to easilygrasp the operation state of a specified power storage apparatus.

This information providing screen is generated on the user operationterminal 9 mainly by the functioning of the power storage apparatusmanagement unit 107 (in more detail, by the information providing unit135) of the information processing apparatus 10.

By operating the user operation terminal 9 and having a setting screensuch as that shown in FIG. 14 displayed, the user is also capable ofcarrying out operation control over a power storage apparatus 20 from aremote location. The setting screen shown in FIG. 14 is provided with adisplay region in which operation contents for operating the powerstorage apparatus from a remote location are displayed, a display regionin which contents for carrying out maintenance on the power storageapparatus are displayed, and a display region in which contents forsetting an operation during an emergency are displayed.

For example, by operating the display region in which operation contentsfor operating the power storage apparatus from a remote location aredisplayed, the user is capable of realizing a remote operation over thepower storage apparatus. In the example shown in FIG. 14, operationssuch as switching the power of the power storage apparatus itself on andoff, setting the supplying of power to a power using appliance connectedto the power storage apparatus, on/off switching of a charging operationor power supplying operation, and changing the power supplying method(switching between DC and AC, setting current and voltage values, andthe like) can be realized.

Also, in the display region in which contents for carrying outmaintenance are displayed, it is possible to indicate rebooting thepower storage apparatus, a start of a self-diagnosis process for thepower storage apparatus, an update process for various software thatruns on the power storage apparatus, and the like.

In addition, in the display region for setting operations during anemergency, it is possible to indicate an emergency halting of the powerstorage apparatus and make settings as to whether to implement ananti-theft mode, such as whether to sound a siren when the power storageapparatus is stolen.

By operating the user operation terminal 9 and having a setting screensuch as that shown in FIG. 15 displayed, the user is also capable ofchanging the settings themselves of the power storage apparatus 20 froma remote location. The setting screen shown in FIG. 15 is provided witha display region for setting the frequency of transmission of loginformation (i.e., reports) to the information processing apparatus 10,a display region for selecting the various information included in thelog information (reports), a display region for setting events, adisplay region for setting an operation schedule, and a display regionfor setting measures to be taken when the power storage apparatus isstolen.

By operating the display region for setting the frequency fortransmitting log information, the user is able to set the frequency fortransmitting log information to the information processing apparatus 10.By operating the display region for selecting the various informationincluded in the log information, the user is able to set the content ofthe log information transmitted by a power storage apparatus (andmoreover, the content of the information that can be confirmed by theuser himself/herself in an information providing screen). By changingsuch contents, the user is able to freely customize the amount oftransmitted information and consumed battery power relating to thetransmission of log information.

Also, by operating the display region for setting events, it is possibleto change the event settings, i.e., in what situations the loginformation is transmitted. By operating the display region for settingthe operation schedule, the user is able to set an operation schedule,i.e., a time period during the day where the charging (or discharging)is to be carried out. By operating the display region for settingmeasures to be taken when the power storage apparatus is stolen, theuser is able to make a setting of in what situations the operation ofthe power storage apparatus is to stop automatically and a setting of inwhat situations an alert (warning) is to be issued.

The setting screen shown in FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 are generated on theuser operation terminal 9 mainly by the functioning of the power storageapparatus management unit 107 (in more detail, by the informationproviding unit 135) of the information processing apparatus 10.Information showing the content set in such setting screens is acquiredby the setting information acquiring unit 109 of the informationprocessing apparatus 10 and is outputted to the control informationgenerating unit 137.

This completes the description of the information providing screensprovided by the information processing apparatus 10 according to thepresent example embodiment with reference to FIGS. 10 to 15.

(2) Hardware Configuration

Next, the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus10 according to the example embodiment of the present disclosure will bedescribed in detail with reference to FIG. 16. FIG. 16 is a blockdiagram for illustrating the hardware configuration of the informationprocessing apparatus 10 according to the example embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

The information processing apparatus 10 mainly includes a CPU 901, a ROM903, and a RAM 905. Furthermore, the information processing apparatus 10also includes a host bus 907, a bridge 909, an external bus 911, aninterface 913, an input device 915, an output device 917, a storagedevice 919, a drive 921, a connection port 923, and a communicationdevice 925.

The CPU 901 serves as an arithmetic processing apparatus and a controldevice, and controls the overall operation or a part of the operation ofthe information processing apparatus 10 according to various programsrecorded in the ROM 903, the RAM 905, the storage device 919, or aremovable recording medium 927. The ROM 903 stores programs, operationparameters, and the like used by the CPU 901. The RAM 905 primarilystores programs that the CPU 901 uses and parameters and the likevarying as appropriate during the execution of the programs. These areconnected with each other via the host bus 907 configured from aninternal bus such as a CPU bus or the like.

The host bus 907 is connected to the external bus 911 such as a PCI(Peripheral Component Interconnect/Interface) bus via the bridge 909.

The input device 915 is an operation means operated by a user, such as amouse, a keyboard, a touch panel, buttons, a switch and a lever. Also,the input device 915 may be a remote control means (a so-called remotecontrol) using, for example, infrared light or other radio waves, or maybe an externally connected device 929 such as a mobile phone or a PDAconforming to the operation of the information processing apparatus 10.Furthermore, the input device 915 generates an input signal based on,for example, information which is input by a user with the aboveoperation means, and is configured from an input control circuit foroutputting the input signal to the CPU 901. The user of the informationprocessing apparatus 10 can input various data to the informationprocessing apparatus 10 and can instruct the information processingapparatus 10 to perform processing by operating this input apparatus915.

The output device 917 is configured from a device capable of visually oraudibly notifying acquired information to a user. Examples of suchdevice include display devices such as a CRT display device, a liquidcrystal display device, a plasma display device, an EL display deviceand lamps, audio output devices such as a speaker and a headphone, aprinter, a mobile phone, a facsimile machine, and the like. For example,the output device 917 outputs a result obtained by various processingperformed by the information processing apparatus 10. More specifically,the display device displays, in the form of texts or images, a resultobtained by various processes performed by the information processingapparatus 10. On the other hand, the audio output device converts anaudio signal such as reproduced audio data and sound data into an analogsignal, and outputs the analog signal.

The storage device 919 is a device for storing data configured as anexample of a storage unit of the information processing apparatus 10 andis used to store data. The storage device 919 is configured from, forexample, a magnetic storage device such as a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), asemiconductor storage device, an optical storage device, or amagneto-optical storage device. This storage device 919 stores programsto be executed by the CPU 901, various data, and various data obtainedfrom the outside.

The drive 921 is a reader/writer for recording medium, and is embeddedin the information processing apparatus 10 or attached externallythereto. The drive 921 reads information recorded in the attachedremovable recording medium 927 such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk,a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory, and outputs the readinformation to the RAM 905. Furthermore, the drive 921 can write in theattached removable recording medium 927 such as a magnetic disk, anoptical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory. Theremovable recording medium 927 is, for example, a DVD medium, an HD-DVDmedium, or a Blu-ray medium. The removable recording medium 927 may be aCompactFlash (CF; registered trademark), a flash memory, an SD memorycard (Secure Digital Memory Card), or the like. Alternatively, theremovable recording medium 927 may be, for example, an IC card(Integrated Circuit Card) equipped with a non-contact IC chip or anelectronic appliance.

The connection port 923 is a port for allowing devices to directlyconnect to the information processing apparatus 10. Examples of theconnection port 923 include a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port, anIEEE1394 port, a SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) port, and thelike. Other examples of the connection port 923 include an RS-232C port,an optical audio terminal, an HDMI (High-Definition MultimediaInterface) port, and the like. By the externally connected apparatus 929connecting to this connection port 923, the information processingapparatus 10 directly obtains various data from the externally connectedapparatus 929 and provides various data to the externally connectedapparatus 929.

The communication device 925 is a communication interface configuredfrom, for example, a communication device for connecting to acommunication network 931. The communication device 925 is, for example,a wired or wireless LAN (Local Area Network), Bluetooth (registeredtrademark), a communication card for WUSB (Wireless USB), or the like.Alternatively, the communication device 925 may be a router for opticalcommunication, a router for ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line), amodem for various communications, or the like. This communication device925 can transmit and receive signals and the like in accordance with apredetermined protocol such as TCP/IP on the Internet and with othercommunication devices, for example. The communication network 931connected to the communication device 925 is configured from a networkand the like, which is connected via wire or wirelessly, and may be, forexample, the Internet, a home LAN, infrared communication, radio wavecommunication, satellite communication, or the like.

Heretofore, an example of the hardware configuration capable ofrealizing the functions of the information processing apparatus 10according to the example embodiment of the present disclosure has beenshown. Each of the structural elements described above may be configuredusing a general-purpose material, or may be configured from hardwarededicated to the function of each structural element. Accordingly, thehardware configuration to be used can be changed as appropriateaccording to the technical level at the time of carrying out the presentexample embodiment.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to thepresently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent tothose skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope and without diminishing itsintended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes andmodifications be covered by the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An information processing apparatus, comprising: a battery configured to store power; and circuitry configured to: obtain first information indicative of a current position of the information processing apparatus; obtain second information indicative of a battery level of the information processing apparatus; and transmit wirelessly the first information and the second information to a terminal device via a wireless communication, wherein the information processing apparatus is configured to be in a first operation state in a case where the information processing apparatus is outside a predetermined region, and the information processing apparatus is configured to be in a second operation state in a case where the information processing apparatus is inside the predetermined region.
 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a sensor configured to obtain surrounding data of the information processing apparatus, wherein the circuitry is configured to: obtain the surrounding data as third information; and transmit wirelessly the third information to the terminal device via the wireless communication.
 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the circuitry is configured to: obtain fourth information indicating movement route of the information processing apparatus; and transmit wirelessly the fourth information to the terminal device via the wireless communication.
 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a GPS (Global Positioning System) to obtain the current position of the information processing apparatus.
 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second information indicates a stored amount of power in the battery.
 6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the terminal device is configured to output a warning notification to prevent theft of the information processing apparatus based on information received from the information processing apparatus.
 7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is configured to be operable only within the predetermined region from a specific position.
 8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the terminal device is a smart phone.
 9. An information processing method, comprising: obtaining, using circuitry, first information indicative of a current position of an information processing apparatus having a battery configured to store power; obtaining, using the circuitry, second information indicative of a battery level of the information processing apparatus; and transmitting wirelessly the first information and the second information to a terminal device via a wireless communication, wherein the information processing apparatus is configured to be in a first operation state in a case where the information processing apparatus is outside a predetermined region, and the information processing apparatus is configured to be in a second operation state in a case where the information processing apparatus is inside the predetermined region.
 10. The information processing method according to claim 9, further comprising: obtaining, using a sensor, surrounding data of the information processing apparatus; obtaining, using the circuitry, the surrounding data as third information; and transmitting wirelessly the third information to the terminal device via the wireless communication.
 11. The information processing method according to claim 9, further comprising: obtaining, using the circuitry, fourth information indicating movement route of the information processing apparatus; and transmitting wirelessly the fourth information to the terminal device via the wireless communication.
 12. The information processing method according to claim 9, wherein the current position of the information processing apparatus is obtained by a GPS (Global Positioning System) of the information processing apparatus.
 13. The information processing method according to claim 9, wherein the second information indicates a stored amount of power in the battery.
 14. The information processing method according to claim 9, wherein a warning notification to prevent theft of the information processing apparatus is outputted from the terminal device based on information received from the information processing apparatus.
 15. A non-transitory computer readable medium including executable instructions, which when executed by a computer of a terminal device cause the computer to execute a method, the method comprising: obtaining wirelessly, via a wireless communication, from an information processing apparatus having a battery, first information indicative of a current position of the information processing apparatus; obtaining wirelessly, via the wireless communication, from the information processing apparatus, second information indicative of a battery level of the information processing apparatus; and displaying, on the terminal device, the first information and the second information, wherein the information processing apparatus is configured to be in a first operation state in a case where the information processing apparatus is outside a predetermined region, and the information processing apparatus is configured to be in a second operation state in a case where the information processing apparatus is inside the predetermined region.
 16. The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 15, wherein the method further comprises: obtaining, via the wireless communication, from the information processing apparatus, surrounding data of the information processing apparatus as third information, the surrounding data being obtained by the information processing apparatus using a sensor of the information processing apparatus.
 17. The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 15, wherein the method further comprises: obtaining, via the wireless communication, from the information processing apparatus, fourth information indicating movement route of the information processing apparatus; and displaying, on the terminal device, the fourth information.
 18. The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 15, wherein the current position of the information processing apparatus is obtained by a GPS (Global Positioning System) of the information processing apparatus.
 19. The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 15, wherein the second information indicates a stored amount of power in the battery.
 20. The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 15, the method further comprises: outputting a warning notification to prevent theft of the information processing apparatus based on information received from the information processing apparatus. 